Lombardi saying that the Pats aren't playing well right now so he's not buying them:
Mike Lombardi Not Buying Patriots In Playoffs Citing Their ‘Significant Issues’
I'd like to discuss the things that ARE going well for the Pats right now. In my mind here are some:
- The running game. The last five weeks they've run for 821 yards (164.2 per game).
- The defense. Have held 4 of the last 5 opponents (and 6 of the last 8) to 17 points or fewer. Last 8 weeks: 17.9 points allowed per game.
- Home field. 7-0 this season at home. If they win vs. the Jets, it'll be 8-0 at home, securing them a first round bye and a home game in the divisional round.
- Pass defense. Last 8 weeks, haven't given up more than 287 yards passing (234.6 per game). And that's including facing Rodgers (250 yds), Cousins and his great WRs (183 yds), and Roethlisberger (218 yds). Against those three explosive pass offenses, the Pats gave up 17, 10, and 17 points (14.7 per game).
- The secondary. Obviously related to the prior point, but more specifically, the secondary has been playing great. Gilmore has had an all-pro level season, and JC Jackson is one of the highest rated corners in the league this year, as incredible as it sounds.
The team has plenty of bright spots. If these positives were things an opposing team was doing well, we'd rightly be concerned about facing them, especially if the Pats were going to their place. Playing a team that is great at home, with a really good running game and offensive line, that has a great pass defense and lockdown corners...that's a team that would rightly worry us to play. Well, right now, that's the Patriots. For all the trouble this team has had this year, these are still things going very well for them.
And they still have the greatest coach and QB of all time on top of all this.
Mike Lombardi Not Buying Patriots In Playoffs Citing Their ‘Significant Issues’
I'd like to discuss the things that ARE going well for the Pats right now. In my mind here are some:
- The running game. The last five weeks they've run for 821 yards (164.2 per game).
- The defense. Have held 4 of the last 5 opponents (and 6 of the last 8) to 17 points or fewer. Last 8 weeks: 17.9 points allowed per game.
- Home field. 7-0 this season at home. If they win vs. the Jets, it'll be 8-0 at home, securing them a first round bye and a home game in the divisional round.
- Pass defense. Last 8 weeks, haven't given up more than 287 yards passing (234.6 per game). And that's including facing Rodgers (250 yds), Cousins and his great WRs (183 yds), and Roethlisberger (218 yds). Against those three explosive pass offenses, the Pats gave up 17, 10, and 17 points (14.7 per game).
- The secondary. Obviously related to the prior point, but more specifically, the secondary has been playing great. Gilmore has had an all-pro level season, and JC Jackson is one of the highest rated corners in the league this year, as incredible as it sounds.
The team has plenty of bright spots. If these positives were things an opposing team was doing well, we'd rightly be concerned about facing them, especially if the Pats were going to their place. Playing a team that is great at home, with a really good running game and offensive line, that has a great pass defense and lockdown corners...that's a team that would rightly worry us to play. Well, right now, that's the Patriots. For all the trouble this team has had this year, these are still things going very well for them.
And they still have the greatest coach and QB of all time on top of all this.
